New Delhi: A central portal mapping student data across universities and higher education institutions in the capital will be developed within 15 days, while Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the urban development department will identify suitable land parcels for building new student hostels.
Officials said that all relevant stakeholders, including the training and technical education department, will be involved in drafting the regulatory framework. “The meeting focused on developing a coordinated approach towards making student accommodation safer, more accessible and better regulated, while strengthening safety measures and facilities for students,” Sood said. These were among the key decisions taken at the first meeting of the high-powered committee on student accommodation and safety held Tuesday. The committee will also work on framing new laws and regulations governing PG accommodation in the capital. Lieutenant governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu had formed this high-level committee to review and address an acute shortage, poor safety standards and lack of regulation of student housing facilities across the city.
The committee will assess the gap between student intake and existing hostel capacity and explore higher floor area ratio (FAR) permissions to expand accommodation within university campuses. Student safety will be another focus, with structural and fire-safety audits, emergency evacuation protocols and regular mock drills proposed for accommodation facilities.